High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with adhd that are high functioning are unhappy and are often misunderstood in their relationships. The symptoms may be more severe in times of hormonal changes, like premenstrual and pregnancy cycles.
Many women and girls are forced to resort to compensatory strategies, masking their symptoms and impairments that can delay time to referral.
This group of patients has particular issues that must be considered when treating them.
1. Insecurities about self-esteem
Women can feel depressed by the emotional and social challenges of ADHD. Even if they're successful, it is easy to feel like they're failing because of the things they can't change. This can create an endless cycle of feeling like they feel overwhelmed and never satisfied which can be detrimental to their self-esteem and mental health.
Girls who suffer from ADHD who are not treated are at a greater chance of developing chronic low self-esteem and teen pregnancy. They also have a greater chance of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. As adults, they're at an increased risk of single-parenting children with ADHD, financial crises and underemployment. They're also more likely to struggle with eating disorders, and their bad patterns can pass down to their children.
It's crucial for girls to receive an assessment, as it will provide them with a better understanding of their challenges and enable them to manage their symptoms more effectively. Many women say that they feel much more at ease after receiving their diagnosis, which allows them to stop blaming themselves for the little things they are unable to manage. It helps them to see their struggles as strengths and focus their attention on the things that matter most (Waite 2010,).
As women age and enter menopausal age, their hormone levels could change, and ADHD symptoms may worsen. It can be difficult to diagnose and treat people suffering from ADHD due to the fact that their symptoms can be mistakenly diagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of the month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on a woman’s self-esteem and relationships with her family and friends. The symptoms can affect the woman's daily routine which can make her angry and exhausted. It is possible that she can't refuse people, which causes her to become overburdened and angry with those around her. She might find it difficult to manage her work and home life which can lead to missing appointments and lost files. She could also be more easily triggered when she is rejected, making her more likely to snap at those she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity causes you to feel a strong sense of when you are rejected, either real or perceived. A disagreement with your partner, or a negative comment from a colleague at work could trigger you. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are triggered, resulting in thoughts and feelings that can harm your relationships and self esteem. There are also anxiety, depression, and mood fluctuations as a result of sensitive to rejection.
Although it's often attributed to ADHD, rejection sensitivity is actually a symptom of emotional dysregulation that affects how your brain manages emotions and how you react to them. The symptoms can also be found in other mental health conditions like borderline personality disorder (BPD).
RSD patients might perceive events through a filter, making them appear brighter or darker than they really are. This can lead them to interpret things as being related to rejection even though they're not. RSD can cause you to be in a state of being unable to control your emotions. This is why it is essential to develop healthy coping mechanisms to deal with RSD.
Learn more about the issue of rejection sensitivity by reading the articles below:
Although there isn't a cure for RSD but it is possible to manage your symptoms with the help of an expert in mental health. You can use coping techniques like cognitive behavior therapy to alter your negative thinking patterns. You can also create a support network and practice mindfulness to reduce the chance of reacting negatively to rejection. This will help you discover ways to overcome your RSD and allow you to live a happier and more satisfying life. Avoid toxic relationships since they can worsen your symptoms. If you're in an abusive relationship, seek counseling to discover the best method to leave. This can help you reduce your risk of feelings of rejection, such as anxiety and depression. You can also increase your self-esteem by creating healthy relationships. This will make you feel more confident in your abilities and give an honest view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a healthy romantic relationship. This can lead to sexual dysfunctions and risky behaviors. Research suggests that women with high functioning adhd are at higher risk of developing these sexual problems than their non-ADHD counterparts. These behaviors can also trigger feelings of shame and guilt, which can affect their relationships and wellbeing.
One study conducted a survey of adults suffering from ADHD and discovered that they were more likely to have a passion for sexual exploration than those without the disorder. Both males and women were affected. This is probably due to the greater impulsivity levels that can cause them to be more likely act on their sexual ideas and desires. The study revealed that females with adhd are more likely to indulge in paraphilic fantasies and behaviors. This included submissive role-play, bondage and sex with strangers. It was also common for them to attend sexual clubs and parties.
adult adhd in women and males suffering from adhd had a higher risk of infidelity than those who did not have the disorder. This was due to their lack of control of impulses and alcohol-related disinhibition. This was likely also a result of their higher levels of insecurity and feeling misunderstood by partners. The survey also asked respondents to describe their experiences with extra-partner sexual relations and sexual interactions without contraception. Table 6 provides the results from this section.
In the final analysis, the study utilized the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to inquire of participants about their sexual issues. The questionnaire comprises 19 items that are grouped into three subscales. Each item is scored using a 5-point scale, between 1 (never to 5 (very frequently)). The higher the score, the more symptomatology is evident. The HBI-19 was used to evaluate the sexual behaviors of adults who have and those without ADHD.
These results are important due to the fact that the psychosexual effects of adults with ADHD are not well-studied. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions such as STIs and unwanted pregnancy relationships, dissatisfaction with relationships and adult-onset infidelity as well as risky sexual behavior.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have issues in their relationships with loved ones. Lack of clarity in communication, and miscommunication due to symptoms like inattention and forgetfulness can lead to anger, resentment and even conflict within the relationship. A strong network of friends and family members who are able to understand each other can be beneficial in maintaining healthy relationships.
It is crucial to keep in mind that those who suffer from ADHD have a difficult time listening. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behavior that can result in them missing out on the central purpose of a conversation. People with ADHD may also have issues multitasking, which can cause them to tune out conversations or to do something else while other people are talking.
These battles can create a vicious cycle in which the non-ADHD person becomes overwhelmed with stress and resentment, and the ADHD partner feels misunderstood and defensive. The problem can escalate in the meantime as they become more distant.
Women who have high-functioning ADHD are often exhausted and overwhelmed by the demands of their lives. They may experience feelings of low self-esteem and shame because of their unpredictable and unorganized behavior, or feel as if they're not able to handle their household chores and bills. They may also have mood swings, sensitivity to rejection and low sex desire.
This is why it is essential for those who suffer from ADHD to develop a treatment plan and seek help. It is essential that those who are closest to them, especially spouses, are aware of ADHD and how it affects the person they love. They can work together to set clear expectations and boundaries and then formulate a plan for how they will achieve their goals. For instance the partner who is not ADHD could assume more financial responsibilities, while the person with ADHD might be focused on completing chores and organizing the house.
In addition, both parties should work to communicate more clearly and effectively and establish a routine that incorporates regular sleep schedules, meal times, and time to relax and rest. It's also important to find ways to make things easier for both parties by dividing household chores, or outsourcing certain tasks that are challenging for a person with ADHD like hiring a cleaning service or using apps to manage expenses.